Beverages

Taking little time or effort, making homemade simple syrup is a great (and cheap) way to change your simple beverages–whether it be a cocktail, coffee, mocktail, etc. In my household, especially as the seasons change, we love making this spiced simple syrup as a twist on the classic version used in many cocktails.

Have you ever tried fruit-based tea? In South Korea, people not only make tea from cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis, but also from flowers, fruits, vegetables, and more! They even make tea from corn husks! One of the most popular types of tea in Korea is ‘maesil cha,’ otherwise known as Korean green plum tea! This fruity sweet and tangy tea is the perfect refreshing drink. It takes less than a minute to make. Learn how below!  

In South Korea, people often enjoy beautiful specialty drinks at home and in cafes. If you also enjoy making specialty drinks at home, try making this Korean black sesame latte! In Korean, this drink is known as a ‘heukimja latte’ (흑임자라떼). This particular coffee drink combines the nutty flavor of sesame with deliciously bitter espresso.

In many East Asian countries, black sesame plays an important part in their food cultures. These days, black sesame has become a more popular ingredient in the west as the world gets smaller and people try other cultural foods. One way people use black sesame is to make a nutty milk substitute. People drink black sesame milk because it is packed full of nutrients and gives a new and unique flavor to boring coffee drinks.

Every few months, I publish a soju cocktail recipe. This time, I am publishing a recipe for the popular Yakult soju cocktail! In South Korea, people make this cocktail using a well-loved childhood sweet drink known as ‘Yakult.’ From there, they add soju and Sprite. In the end, the drink tastes citrusy, light, and refreshing. Honestly, it is a bit dangerous because you cannot taste the alcohol!